That is one reason we keep our 1996/2010 Carriage, we redid the inside and outside to make her look new again. What an open floor plan we have. Even though Dutch doesn't cook, there are lots of times we are both in that area at the same time & the only time we bump butts if if we mean too! My layout gives me plenty of counter space :R:p. Everything we have looked at in last several years has a counter top.
Plus with our layout we can get to everything with the slides closed. What a bonus if you want to heat coffee, have lunch or watch a bit of TV. Hugs, Di